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Scientific reports2017; 7(1); 9713; doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-09995-4

Elastin is Localised to the Interfascicular Matrix of Energy Storing Tendons and Becomes Increasingly Disorganised With Ageing.

Abstract: Tendon is composed of fascicles bound together by the interfascicular matrix (IFM). Energy storing tendons are more elastic and extensible than positional tendons; behaviour provided by specialisation of the IFM to enable repeated interfascicular sliding and recoil. With ageing, the IFM becomes stiffer and less fatigue resistant, potentially explaining why older tendons become more injury-prone. Recent data indicates enrichment of elastin within the IFM, but this has yet to be quantified. We hypothesised that elastin is more prevalent in energy storing than positional tendons, and is mainly localised to the IFM. Further, we hypothesised that elastin becomes disorganised and fragmented, and decreases in amount with ageing, especially in energy storing tendons. Biochemical analyses and immunohistochemical techniques were used to determine elastin content and organisation, in young and old equine energy storing and positional tendons. Supporting the hypothesis, elastin localises to the IFM of energy storing tendons, reducing in quantity and becoming more disorganised with ageing. These changes may contribute to the increased injury risk in aged energy storing tendons. Full understanding of the processes leading to loss of elastin and its disorganisation with ageing may aid in the development of treatments to prevent age related tendinopathy.
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Publication Date: 2017-08-30 PubMed ID: 28855560PubMed Central: PMC5577209DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-09995-4Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research explored the role of Elastin in the inter-facial matrix (IFM) of energy-storing tendons and investigated changes in its amount and organization as tendons age. Findings suggest that elastin present in the IFM of energy-storing tendons decrease and become disorganized with aging, leading to increased injury risk in old age.

Study Rationale

  • The study aimed to explore the composition of tendons, specifically focussing on the interfascicular matrix (IFM). Tendons are made up of fascicles, or bundles of fibers, bound together by this IFM.
  • The research was based on the premise that energy storing tendons, due to their elasticity and extensibility, are more susceptible to repeated interfascicular sliding and recoil. This behaviour of energy storing tendons steers their propensity to grow stiffer with age, thereby increasing the risk of injuries in older tendons.
  • The study aimed to provide a quantifiable perspective on the content of elastin in the IFM, given that recent data suggested an abundance of this protein in the IFM.

Hypotheses and Methods

  • The study put forth two hypotheses: the presence of elastin is more pronounced in energy storing tendons compared to positional tendons and primarily localised within the IFM. Also, the researchers hypothesised that elastin becomes disorganised and decreases in quantity with ageing, especially in the energy storing tendons.
  • They employed biochemical analyses and immunohistochemical techniques to understand both the organization and content of elastin in young and old equine energy storing and positional tendons.

Findings and Implications

  • The research findings supported the proposed hypotheses. It confirmed that elastin primarily localises to the IFM in energy storing tendons, and diminishes in quantity and becomes disorganized as ageing progresses.
  • This change in the elastin content and its organization with ageing may contribute to the increased risk of injuries in energy storing tendons. This understanding might help develop treatments to prevent age-related tendinopathy.

Cite This Article

APA
Godinho MSC, Thorpe CT, Greenwald SE, Screen HRC. (2017). Elastin is Localised to the Interfascicular Matrix of Energy Storing Tendons and Becomes Increasingly Disorganised With Ageing. Sci Rep, 7(1), 9713. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-09995-4

Publication

Scientific reports
ISSN: 2045-2322
NlmUniqueID: 101563288
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 7
Issue: 1
Pages: 9713
PII: 9713

Researcher Affiliations

Godinho, Marta S C
  • Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, United Kingdom.
Thorpe, Chavaunne T
  • Comparative Biomedical Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London, NW1 0TU, United Kingdom.
Greenwald, Steve E
  • Blizard Institute, Barts and London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Turner Street, London, E1 11BB, United Kingdom.
Screen, Hazel R C
  • Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, United Kingdom. h.r.c.screen@qmul.ac.uk.

MeSH Terms

  • Aging / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Desmosine / metabolism
  • Elastin / metabolism
  • Extracellular Matrix / metabolism
  • Fascia / metabolism
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Horses
  • Tendinopathy / etiology
  • Tendinopathy / metabolism
  • Tendinopathy / pathology
  • Tendons / metabolism
  • Tendons / pathology

Grant Funding

  • BB/K008412/1 / Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Citations

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